Chasing Smoke

"At first I'm calm as the trees fall. But suddenly a rat's nest of wood, bent horizontal and cribbed into the trees above us, comes down in a rush of a hundred machine gun snaps. Trees caught in the nest flail around before hitting the ground. Our eyes dart everywhere, trying to keep track of every moment. Trees break free and swing themselves like catapults. Splintered chunks of wood slash through the air like propellers… Falling trees is the most dangerous job in North America."

A native of Geneseo, Illinois, Jim Buennig [BYOO-nig] is a saxophonist, educator, composer, and recording artist based in Austin, TX specializing in a range of musical styles with his main focus being jazz. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from The University of Iowa.

From the front lines in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and other conflict zones to the base of the burning Twin Towers on 9/11 to the eye of countless hurricanes, Rick Leventhal chronicles some of the most amazing stories he's covered in his thirty-five years as a news reporter, anchor, and Senior Correspondent—with some life lessons thrown in along the way.

Five Creative Techniques You Can Try At Home!